Michelle Branch Cites “Irreconcilable Differences” with Teddy Landau; Files for Divorce

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Michelle Branch, 31, on February 9 filed for divorce from her 50-year-old husband Teddy Landau, her former bassist, citing irreconcilable differences, according to People. The two who have been married since May 23, 2004, have a daughter together whom they named Owen Isabelle, now 9 years old. Michelle and Teddy separated in January last year, which they now want to make official with a divorce.

So far, the split has been civil and amicable. According to TMZ, Michelle even filed her divorce documents in court "pro per" or without benefit of a lawyer's help. In her petition for divorce, she is reportedly asking for joint custody over their daughter. Of course, the gossip site also adds that she is currently dating Chris Null of the Dead Sara band who is also a bassist much like her estranged husband Teddy.

In an interview with People back in 2006, Michelle, then 22, said: "My relationship [with husband Teddy] had a very rocky start. My parents hated the idea-and now love him, of course. My dad never wanted me to be with a musician. I mean, how unrealistic is that? I'm not going to fall for an accountant! And when he found out he was closer in age to my husband than I was, he got very nervous. And even the record label wasn't sure: "Do we really want Michelle in a serious relationship?" So Jess [Jessica Harper, her partner in The Wreckers country music duo] was the one person I could turn to."

Michelle released two top-selling albums, The Spirit Room in 2001 and Hotel Paper in 2003. She won a Grammy with Santana for their collaboration on The Game of Love in 2002. Her country music duo The Wreckers with Jessica was nominated for the 2006 CMA Awards for Vocal Duo of the Year and for a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal or their song Leave the Pieces. The duo's Stand Still, Look Pretty was certified Gold by the RIAA with sales of 851,000 copies as of March 2009.